No permit for Sorsogon Capitol’s tree cutting operation- DENR
Sorsogon City– The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has initiated an investigation into the tree cutting inside the Provincial Capitol Compound after it confirmed that it did not issue any permit for such operation.
Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Officer-DENR (PENRO-DENR) Marlon Francia said that the investigation aims to determine the circumstances surrounding the reported tree cutting, including identifying the parties involved” and to determine possible violations of environmental and forestry laws.
In a letter to Bicol Files, the Francia disclosed that his office did not issue any tree cutting permit to the provincial government or any entity before the trees were cut down.
“The trees recently cut in the said area were not covered by any Tree Cutting Permit issued by the DENR”, part of the letter signed by Francia stated.
He stressed that whenever DENR issues a tree cutting permit, it is mandatory for the permittee to put up a billboard at the site where the trees are located to inform the public of the legality of such operation “as part of the standard compliance measure”.
Francia also said that the logs from the cut trees were not surrendered to his office, which is mandatory even if there was a permit issued for such operation and failure to do so would result to its apprehension and confiscation.
He also addressed the unabated tree cutting inside the Capitol Compound saying that “the DENR maintains a firm position that all tree cutting activities must strictly comply with existing forestry laws rules and regulations” and that they treat any violation with “utmost seriousness”.
Bicol File’s query to the DENR was prompted by numerous social media posts denouncing the relentless cutting of the trees around the Capitol compound some of whom are century-old trees.
Among those cut were century-old Acacia trees, Gmelina, decades-old Kamagong and Narra trees.
Some sources said that the provincial government is planning to re-design the Capitol Compound which necessitated the removal of the trees.
Many netizens expressed disgust over the sudden removal of the trees which they said had added beauty and enhanced the over-all aesthetic of the Capitol Compound while others feared that such rampant cutting of trees would worsen the floodings now being experienced at the province’s capital city.
Some tricycle drivers said the trees provided them with shades under which they took quick naps during lean time or whenever they feel tired had to take some rest.
Other netizens criticized the provincial government for such action and questioned the sincerity and seriousness of its 7K program which supposedly includes environmental protection.
Bicol Files had reached out to the provincial government through the PENRO-LGU for comment but PENRO Daniel Jazmin refused to respond saying “it was not his project” and that the query must be addressed to the Office of the Governor.
Following Jazmin’s advise, the same query was sent to Provincial Information Officer Salvador Mendoza but he has yet to respond as of press time.
Bicol Files welcomes the provincial government’s response to this issue. Bicol Files Report